Our navigational days are aimed at those who want to learn to navigate confidently and effectively on the mountains. The majority of wilderness emergency’s in Britain are due to poor navigation and bad route choice, this course aims to address these points. This 1 day course is suitable for all whether your completely inexperienced or an aspiring Mountain Leader. Being based in Aviemore, Backcountry has quick access to the Cairngorms which contains some of the highest mountains in Britain, and we will get you to the top of one of them, there’s no better place to hone your map and compass work.

Introduction

This course is designed to equip attendees with the skills and knowledge to be able to carry out their own multi-day trips in mountainous regions. The secondary aim is to climb 4 of the 9 4000 foot mountains, and ascend 5 of the 6 highest mountains in Britain.

Where

The course is run in the Cairngorms National Park, in the highlands of Scotland. The Cairngorms National Park is the largest in Europe and is home to 5 of the 6 highest mountains in Britain. The Cairngorms is the highest, coldest and snowiest plateau in the British Isles, closely mimicking an Arctic tundra.

Skills Covered

Weather forecasting and interpretation
Equipment and kit needed for multi-day trips in the mountains
Packing for an expedition
Safe Route choice and planning
Navigational skills, map and compass as well as GPS
Tent choice and wild camping
Stove training
Expedition food and nutrition/water safety

Fitness

Due to the number of mountains climbed (7), over all distance, weight carried and height gain, individuals must have a good level of fitness. If you have any questions regarding fitness levels please contact us before booking on this course.

Due to the demanding nature of this course we do not take online bookings and would prefer any enquiries to be directed straight to us for discussion and assessment of ability.

Our flagship course for 2018. Borneo is the 3rd largest Island on the Planet and is home to many endemic species of Flora and fauna including the Bornean Orungutan, East Sumatran Rhinoceros and the Bornean clouded leopard to name but a few. It is also home to the feared Dayak people or “head hunters”.

The weather experienced in February at the North of the Island can range from a cool evening temperature of 22ºC to a sweltering 28 – 34 ºC during the day, with humidity reaching upwards of 90%.

This course is designed to give participants a survival grounding in a Jungle environment, with the majority of time being spent within the Rainforest under the watchful eye of Survival Instructors (SIA) as well as training from local guides. As with all BCS courses the Borneo expedition is designed to be multi-environment and will take place in Primary jungle as well as in Mountainous regions.

The last two days of the Course will retrace the final two days of the Sandakan – Ranau death march. This was a forced march over a distance of 250 kilometers from the POW camp at Sandakan to the small village of Ranau and was carried out by around 1000 Allied soldiers captured after the fall of Singapore (some 1787 Australian and 641 British soldiers were interned at Sandakan). Out of a total of 2434 POW only 6 Australians managed to escape.

Due to the climate and strenuousness of this course participants must be in good physical condition to make the most of their time with us.

The deposit for this course is £400, please do not make any flight/travel plans until you have confirmation from us that your place is secured.